International Business BA (Hons) top-up

Strategic management has now evolved to the point that its primary value is to help the organisation operate successfully in a dynamic, complex environment. To be competitive in this environment, businesses have to become less bureaucratic and more flexible, including the ability to shift from one dominant strategy to another. This strategic flexibility also demands a long-term commitment to the development and nurturing of critical resources in this environment driven by technical and social change.

All managers need to be involved in the strategic management process in order to put together the most effective strategy that achieves better organisational performance, as well as developing and maintaining the firm’s position of competitive advantage. Strategy is about identifying and working on key issues for the future of the organisation and involves activities such as: scanning the environment for critical information, suggesting changes to strategies and programs to take advantage of environmental shifts, and working with others to continuously improve work methods, procedures and evaluation techniques. You will seek to learn about the systematic analysis of the factors associated with an organisation’s external and internal environment that provide the basis for maintaining optimum management strategies and practices. You will also engage in debate on critical business issues such as corporate values (ethics) and corporate social responsibility (CSR) both at home and on the international scene.

The main aim of the module is to provide you with the concepts, frameworks and techniques of strategic decision making to enable you to assess competitive conditions, evaluate corporate capabilities and identify means for businesses to establish a sustainable competitive advantage in their industry.

Compulsory

Business and organisations are constantly changing. Regardless of whether organisations are planning to expand or rationalise, managing projects that facilitate change are an integral part of ensuring competitive advantage for an organisation. This module is designed to introduce you to the processes of project management in a business environment. It aims to develop your understanding and skills in the use of project management tools and techniques, and in the impact of effective people skills on the outcomes of projects.

Compulsory

This module helps those students of international business to develop their English language knowledge and skills to a level where they can communicate effectively and independently. This is achieved in a context where the language is used for the study of business skills. The emphasis is on developing practical reading, writing, speaking and listening skills to support the study of business-related courses at the university. This module will involve activities designed to increase the range and effectiveness of your use of English language and the development of study and communication skills in a business and academic context.

Compulsory

Sustainable and continuous paths of organisational growth require innovation and diffusion of new technologies that are socially and economically acceptable. This complex process evolves through the interaction of technological, economic and social forces operating at various levels. It also encourages you to develop a critical appreciation of current academic debates on 'entrepreneurship' as well as research evidence on the application of this and other closely related concepts. The module's aim is to enable students to identify entrepreneurial and innovation characteristics and skills. Case studies at organisational, sector and country levels will be extensively used to complement the main theories.

Compulsory

The aim of this module is to develop a solid knowledge and understanding of leadership. It will seek to assess your own leadership behaviours and potential in the context of organisational working practices and cultures. This module will examine effective leadership and management of human capital, and leadership as a determinant of organisational success within an international context. The module will assist you to identify factors that influence the choice of leadership styles or behaviours in workplace situations and the subsequent effect on teams. You will explore theories and practices of contemporary leadership and management. Various leadership styles will be canvassed and applied reflexively within the context of international business management.

Compulsory

Choose two from the following three options:

International Logistics - 20 credits
To develop the skills and knowledge of those regarding the physical distribution channels used to deliver goods in both the industrial and retail contexts. This will include planning at the strategic level and analysis of the operational techniques available to the practitioner. The module will also explore the increase in international logistics trade and the opportunities and threats that can also arise for logistics organisations competing in the international market.

International Business and People Relations - 20 credits
This is a research-driven module that provides a critical evaluation of the globalisation of human resource management strategies from various perspectives. The module introduces the key concepts for understanding international human resource management, and explores the practice of managing human resources in an international context. The intercultural factor will also be examined and appraised from an anthropological point of view, emphasising the operational aspect of the organisation of performance efficient systems of work in international settings.

Business Project - 20 credits
The module requires the application of theory to practice and creativity in the execution of a management report. You are expected to identify and use as a basis of research and analysis, a business case or project related to a real organisation. The chosen project should be in pursuit of addressing a specific need or issue within a real organisation. You will be expected to communicate your solution using knowledge acquired, and demonstrate the application of intellectual, technical and analytical skills developed. In addition, you should demonstrate the application of a sensible research methodology including project aims, methodology design and overall approach in the execution of the work. Overall, you should evidence the subject or context has been sufficiently understood and evaluated.

Optional

You will learn how to increase the range and effectiveness of the use of English language and develop study and communication skills in a business and academic context.

Compulsory

You will work in a team to learn, review and evaluate various leadership behaviours, and incorporate this knowledge into organisational working practices and company cultures.

Compulsory

You will work in a team to research, analyse, evaluate and present the use of strategic management processes in various international business case studies to assist understanding in strategic decision-making.

Compulsory

The module requires you to synthesise knowledge of theoretical and applied perspectives of business process management and apply it to various organisational scenarios. Analysing, implementing, and critically evaluating process management activities within different contexts aligns with this attribute.

The module emphasises the importance of analysing, executing improvements and monitoring business processes to ensure continuous optimisation. This process requires prioritising and managing commitments with resourcefulness and a focus to deliver on time.

Compulsory

You will learn about and develop an in-depth understanding of global organisational contexts. You will critique the impact of operational and global value on management decisions using a real-world business problem.

Compulsory

You will work as a team to create a project plan for your second assessment. Practicing communication skills and creativity are essential skills for preparing a project plan.

Compulsory